Don’t let the painter on your holiday shopping list starve, at least not creatively. Instead, feed his or her creativity with any of the following top ten gift ideas specifically selected with the painter in mind. The top ten gifts for painters on this holiday gfit guide retail for $10 and up.
1. “Anatomically-Correct” Gifts
When it comes to rendering or painting the human figure, there are times when memory just does not serve the artist properly. There are anatomy and figure pose web sites online, as well as a number of books which cover anatomy. Consider purchasing Human Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form ($65) by Eliot Goldfinger and published by Oxford University Press. This book about anatomy for artists focuses both on detailed descriptions as well as images.
Another great gift to give the painter who focuses on the human figure is the reference set, Baron’s Anatomy Flash Cards ($24.95). For a more tangible anatomy-related gift, consider purchasing a wooden Manikan. Wooden Manikans are a top holiday gift idea for artists that can be bought not only in arts and crafts stores, but also at your local Wal-Mart in the art section.
2. Acrylic Mediums
Acrylic Mediums are one of the top 10 gift ideas for artists because there is a wide variety of useful mediums available. When you buy the painter on your holiday list you don’t have to worry if the medium you select is something they already have. Chances are, if they already have an acrylic medium than they probably use it regularly, and will be happy to receive more. On the other hand, if it you give the painter on your list and acrylic medium they don’t already have they will most likely relish the chance to work with a new medium, one that they may have not selected themselves.
The most popular brands of acrylic mediums are Liquitex and Golden. Useful acrylic mediums to buy for the artist on your list include matte gel, retarder or slow-dri medium, flow aid, and blending fluid. Some fun acrylic mediums to purchase for the artist include flexible molding paste, string gel, fabric medium, and black lava. Acrylic medium sets are also available for easy holiday shopping for the artist.
3. Airbrush
An airbrush is a top gift for artists who are interested in commercial art, architecture, vehicle renderings, murals, and many other applications. An airbrush a one of the pricier art accessory gifts on the top gifts for paitners on this top 10 holiday list.
4. Brushes
Painters know that quality paint brushes, for all mediums, can be quite expensive. One of the top gifts for painters is to purchase them one or two high-end brushes for acrylic, watercolor or oil painting. Purchase a flat or angled brush, or a rounded brush. Typically, long-handled brushes are used for oil and acrylic paintings, and short-handled brushes are for watercolors.
5. Drawing Table
If the painter on your holiday list is painting, drawing or sculpting at the kitchen table, consider purchasing them their own drawing or drafting table. Drawing tables often come with a side tray for utensils, anattachable lamp and a chair. Some assembly will be required.
6. Easel
Believe it or not, the artists on your holiday list may not already own an easel. Even if they do, they might need a different type of easel. For example, they may needs and easel that is more portable for outdoor use or for traveling. Or, if they already have a full-sized easel, consider buying the artist o your holiday gift list a tabletop easel.
7. Painter’s Box
A wooden painter’s box is the Mercedes of the top gifts for artists. Not only is a painter’s box useful, it invokes images of the painting masters busily sorting through their supplies in preparation to paint a masterpieces.
8. Set of Colored Watercolor Pencils
Another top gift for painters, is a box of watercolor pencils. They will be used!
9. Watercolor Paper
The watercolor and acrylic painter will appreciate receiving a pad of high-quality watercolor paper. Watercolor paper is a top gift for artists because it can be too expensive for the everyday artist to purchase on their own. The watercolor comes in cold press or hard press, or find a packet of mixed papers.
10. Water-Based Oils
Artists enjoy experimenting with various media. One of the newer artistic products is water-based oil mediums. The benefit of water-based oil mediums is that they act like oils, but clean up like water-based pigments. One of the top ten gifts you can purchase for artists is a set of water-soluble oil paints, or a set of water-based oil pastel sticks.
The painter on your holiday list will be anxious to jump into creating when they receive any one of these top ten gifts for artists.
